Illuminated electric clock



Jan. 2, 1951 R. .1. I Evr-:sQUE

ILLUMINATED ELECTRIC CLOCK 2 Sheets-Shes?l 1 Filed May 27, 1947 3mm/aw 25e/ma let/oda Jan. 2, 1951 R 1 LEVESQUE 2,536,557

ILLUMINATED ELECTRIC CLOCK Filed May 27, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,Hepa/m7 (flat/e @fu 35% 7 2 Smmfmm #Mm Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATED ELECTRIC lCLOCK Renaud J. Levesque, Prospect, Conn.

Application May 27, 1947, Serial No. 750,690

. 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an electric clock, and more particularly to one wherein the hands and figures are suitably illuminated for visibility in the dark.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an electric clock characterized by a dial having illuminated numerals and illuminated hands, the arrangement being such that only the numerals and hands are illuminated, the remainder of the clock face being dark, in such manner as to obviate glare and diffuse light.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a clock provided with means whereby the numerals and hands will be auto- V matically illuminated at night, and turned off adjusted to compensate for various periods of darkness in accordance with the seasons, or changes in the time, or the like.

A still further specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved switch means for accomplishing the foregoing objects.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of such a clock which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eiiicient in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, and highly ornamental and attractive in appearance.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the clock of the instant invention, certain concealed features thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a constructional detail.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of one of the elements disclosed in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view,

partially in section, of the switch mechanism for the automatic illumination of the clock hands and numerals.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawtransparent projecting hour hand 33.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 'the device of the instant invention includes a casing generally indicated at it, of cylindrical form, provided with a removable back II, having an interior peripheral flange I2, and adapted to be held in the casing by means of screws I3. The casing is provided with a front face I4 comprising a clock dial, in which are positioned at conventional intervals cylindrical members I5, preferably comprised of Lucite or similar material, and provided with inserts iii forming numerals of fully translucent Lucite. The cylindrical members I5 extend a material distance interiorly of the casing I0, and have their inner edges beveled 'or inclined, as at I'I, toward the center of the casing, for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. Adjacent each numeral-containing cylinder I5 is an insert block I8, terminating in a rounded exterior surface I9-, and having its inclined inner end. 20, the member I8 also being comprised of transparent Lucite.

A suitable flanged rim 2| is secured, as by screws 22, peripherally about the upper rim of the casing I0, and forms a seat for a crystal 23 of conventional design, a peripheral cushioning Washer 24 being provided.

Interiorly of the housing I0 and secured to the base II is a supplemental housing 25, adapted to contain a conventional electric motor, adapted to drive the clock mechanism through conventional gearing, current being supplied from a desired source to a wire 26. A conventional knurled knob 2'! for setting the clock is also provided. 'l

The interior clock mechanism is adapted kto drive, through suitable conventional gearing, a shaft 28, which carries a gear 29, in mesh with a gear 30 which surrounds a cylinder 3| of transparent Lucite extending through a suitable bearing 32 provided with a central aperture in the center of the clock face, and provided with a In order to balance the hour hand 33, the cylinder 3| is projecting threaded member 34, upon which is threadedly mounted an adjustable counterweight 35.

The cylinder 3| is provided with a central bore through which extends a transparent Lucite shaft 36, the upper extremity of which engages the end 31 of a minute hand 38 also of transparent material, the extremity 31 being socketed, as indicated at 39, in a corresponding frustoconical socket in the top of cylinder 3|. The lower end of shaft 36 engages a gear 40, which in turny is ldriven by a gear 4I f operated by the From the foregoing, it will now be seen that when the bulbs 5l are illuminated in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter, light will pass through and along the transparent shaft 36 and cylinder 3|, and correspondingiy along the translucent Lucite hands 33 and 38.` The "points I9 will be illuminated, as will the numerals I6.

It should here be pointed out that the clock face I4 is preferably of a dark color, such as black or dark blue, to aiord contrast with the normally translucent hands and numerals, and that the lower surface of each hand 33 and 38 is preferably painted white, in order to afford an eiectivecontrast when the device is not illuminated. Upon illumination, as previously pointed out, it will be readily apparent that the giowing numerals, points and hands will provide an eiective and highly attractive illuminated clock.

Means are provided for automatically illuminating the dial during a selected twelve hours,

y normally during the night, and take the 'form o f a gear 6D adapted to mesh with the gear 3G,

and so constructed as to rotate once for each-1;

two rotations of the gear 3 6. In other words, the gear 30 serves to drive the gear tu once during every twenty-four hours. The gear GQ is mounted on'a shaft 6l of insulating material, and has secured thereto a disc 62, also of insulating material, the disc being'provided with a boss 63 andas'e't screw t4 for securing the same 'to Vthe shaft. One-half of Vthe disc 6i is provided with a cut-away portion in which is po- `sitoned aV Vconductive insert "65 of brass orl the like. The insert '55 is adapted'to'contact a conductive shaft 5S `which comprises an extension of the" insulated sharpen 'memo being'suitably secured in related assembly in any desired mannel'. 4 AAdjaceilt the disc 52Y is a contactmember Q1 mounted in a socket 63 and spring pressed,

as by la vspring 59, into engagement with tliedisc. The contact 6l is in electrical association with a suitable conventional circuit, in such manner that when contact 6l is engaged by brass insert'65, the ncircuit will be closed illuminating the lights 5l, and that conversely, while the insulate'dportion of the disc 62 is in contact with contact member 6l, the circuit will be open and the lights turned oil?.

Provision is made for adjustment oi the con- .v tact 6l to relative position in accordance with the times at which it is desired to illuminate the clock hands and numerals, and takes the form of a cylindrical casing l0, rotatably mounted about the lower extremity of shaft E6, the ucontact wires therefrom extending through suitable arcuate'slots 'll in the base thereof, in order -to Ipermit Ilimited rotation of the device, and an operating hand-le "i2", extending downwardly through a corresponding arcuate Vslot 'i3 to Aper- .mit relative rotation of the device in order to vary the position of the socket S8 and its associated contact"member El. Olbviously, the times f-efivhiehth lights. are energies aad gareel-iff 4 gized will be varied in accordance with the relative position of contact 6l.

A manual switch l5 is provided and suitably arranged for by-passing the automatic switch previously described, in such manner that the clock may be illuminated at any desired time, or at all times, as, or example, when used in darkened places, such as theaters or the like. An external operating knob 1S serves to actuate the manual switch. t

It may here be pointed out that the interior of the casing I0 may be painted white, or any suitable light reflecting color, in order to enhance the illumination of the numerals and there is herein provided an improved illuminated clock whi`ch`-accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this l inventive concept, and as may modiiications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:v

1. An illuminated clock comprising a cylindrical casing open at one end, a clock face resting on the open end o f said casing and detachably supported on the latter, said facing having a set of circular apertures arranged radially therearound in spaced relation with respect to each other, light refracting elements having a face arranged within each of said apertures and nxedly supported on said clock falce, each of said faces of said refraoting elements being provided l with a translucent insert, a vertically-disposed translucent shaft mounted for rotation within vsaid casing and having an end extending .through and projecting beyond said clock face,

a pair of translucent clock hands rotatably supported on the projecting end of said shaft, a sourceof light positioned within the casing intermediate said shaft and said light refracting 'elements to thereby light up said inserts, and means operatively connected to said shaft for rotating the latter.

2. An illuminated clock comprising a cylindrical casing open at one end, a clock face resting on the open end of said casing and detachably supported on'the iatter, said facing having .a set of circular apertures arranged' radially therearound in spaced relation with respect to each other, light refracting elements having a faee arranged within each of said apertures and xedly supported on said clock `face, each of said faces of said reiracting elements being provided with a translucent insert, a verticallydisposed translueent shaft mounted for rotation within said casing and having an end extending through and projecting beyond said clock face, a pair ofY translucent clock hands rotatably supported on the projecting end of said shaft, a source of light positioned ,within the casing intermediate said shaft and said light refracting elements to thereby light up said inserts,

`means operatively connected to said shaft for rotating the latter, said clock facing having anyothersetof .circular apertiues arranged radially therearoundin spaced relation with respect to each other said last named apertures being positionedin aligned reiation with said rst named apertures, and translucent cylindrical button REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number 6 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Gareau Jan. 22, 1901 Pierce May 12, 1925 Fowler Aug. 14, 1934 Bacon June 4, 1940 Dickson et al. June 23, 1942 Failla July 21, 1942 Boeck June 11, 1946 

